Melbourne Cup 2026
Tuesday, 3 November 2026. Racing on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day runs from 10.45am to 5.15pm local time, which is overnight in the UK.
A 3200m handicap run at Flemington on the first Tuesday of November, known in Australia as the race that stops the nation. It starts at about 3pm in Melbourne, which is about 4am in the UK.
| Date | Tuesday 3 November 2026 (about 3pm local time, 4am UK time) |
|---|---|
| Course | Flemington, Melbourne |
| Race | Group 1 handicap, three-year-olds and up |
| Distance | 3200m (about 2m) |
| Field | Up to 24 runners |
| Sponsor | Lexus |
Group races on Cup Day
| Race | Grade | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Melbourne Cup | Group 1 | 3200m |
| Maribyrnong Plate | Group 3 | 1000m |
| Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes | Group 3 | 1400m |
Recent winners
| Year | Winner | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Half Yours | Tony and Calvin McEvoy | Jamie Melham |
| 2024 | Knight's Choice | John Symons and Sheila Laxon | Robbie Dolan |
| 2023 | Without A Fight | Anthony and Sam Freedman | Mark Zahra |
- Mark Zahra won it in 2022 on Gold Trip and again in 2023 on Without A Fight.
- From 2026 the winner of the Prix Kergorlay in France is exempt from the Melbourne Cup ballot.
- The race has been run every year since 1861.
Our record at Flemington
We haven't tipped at Flemington yet. When we do, it goes on the record like every other bet.
Our tips for Melbourne Cup
Members get our selections in Telegram on the day, each with a price and a stake. When we give a tip away it goes on the free tip page, on X @The_Gallop_uk and to our email list.
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Race details checked against the racecourse's own site. Fixtures can change because of the weather; check before you travel or bet.